Birthday Book Recs 16/50 : The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White (aka “Strunk and White’s Elements of Style”) {this edition illustrated by the fabulous Maira Kalman}
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White (illustrated by Maira Kalman)
Birthday Book Recs: 17/50
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White (aka “Strunk and White’s Elements of Style”) {this edition illustrated by the fabulous Maira Kalman}
Let’s commit to better writing in 2026, shall we? I’m talking about better writing that is less dependent on text speak (lol KWIM?) and — for the love — less dependent on AI. (What is UP with this notion that em-dashes are a feature of AI-produced writing and that therefore we should abandon them? I am digging my em-dashed-shaped heels [?] in.) We all could stand a tutorial, which is why I’m recommending The Elements of Style. Did your teacher introduce you to this manual? This was the case for me, but it wasn’t until I bought this gorgeous illustrated version that I realized that, hey, this could be kind of a fun read. Let’s do it!
{This pic below is of the cover of my middle/high school’s alumni magazine, and the cover model is total legend Sr. O’Dea upon her retirement. The fact that she is posing with a copy of Strunk and White tracks so hard I can’t even begin to tell you. I am so incredibly honored that Sr. O’Dea — the most influential teacher I’ve ever had, bar none — is a faithful reader of [and respondent to] my newsletters.}
originally published on instagram